Norah was born on March 13, 1928, and raised in Alpine, NJ. Norah’s Parents, Elizabeth (1896-1983) and James C. Hopper (1900-1988) were first-generation immigrants and met in New York City. They married in February 1927. Norah’s only sibling, James Hopper, was born one year after Norah. James died in April 2002.
In 1948, Norah graduated from Tenafly High School in New Jersey. Prior to marriage, Norah worked for Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City where she made several lifelong friends.
Norah married Francis “Pete” Peters of River Vale, NJ, in 1952. Pete built the family home in Hillsdale, NJ, where they raised their family of six children and lived for over 30 years. The family were members of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Hillsdale, where Norah was active in the rosery society and brought her faith into the home by having priests over for family meals.
Norah and Pete lived a simple but loving life. Norah stayed home until her children entered high school. Norah then spent 12 years working part-time in the Hillsdale tax assessor’s office. Norah would often talk small town news around the dinner table, where Norah made sure the family gathered together every evening for home cooked meals.
Norah was a meticulous house keeper and taught her children how to clean, cook and entertain family and friends. She made birthdays, national holidays and religious holidays important events and baked homemade pies and cakes to match the occasion. Norah took great pride in teaching etiquette and had a passion for properly setting the dinner table.
In 1989, Norah and Pete built their retirement home in the town of Brewster, MA, on Cape Cod, where several friends from New Jersey retired. The couple cherished their golden years; laughing with their dining-in group, involvement in Our Lady of the Cape and visits from family and friends.
Norah and Pete traveled off Cape to attend almost every family baptism, confirmation, birthday and wedding when they were physically able. They set an example through their actions.
Norah’s husband passed away on October 3, 2001, at the age of 75. Norah stayed in their home on Cape Cod and successfully lived independently for 16 years. Norah continued to drive, do her own grocery shopping, make sandwiches for the homeless and maintain her home. She was sharp, active and spirited until she was forced to spend the last few months of her life with her loving family in Orange County, NY.
Norah enjoyed watching sports, especially her beloved Boston Red Sox, reading the Cape Cod Times, novels and religious books. She liked going to movies and plays, especially musicals.
Stories of Norah’s spunky energy, bright blue smiling eyes, and Christian lessons of love will be cherished and shared forever.
Norah was also preceded in death by her daughter, Deborah Goessling of Wayland, MA. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Peters of Livingston, NJ, and Anne (Don) Conti of Hampton Falls, NH; and her sons, James (Helen) Peters of Goshen, NY, Michael (Cindy) Peters of Middletown, NY, and Robert (Billie Jo) Peters of Las Vegas, NV. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren with one more due in just days.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, March 16, between 4-8 p.m., in the Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home , 729 Route 134 ,in South Dennis, MA. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 17, at 11:00 am in Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road in Brewster, MA. Norah’s final resting place will be beside her husband at the Brewster Memorial Cemetery, 631 Route 124 in Brewster, MA. A reception at the Lady of the Cape community center will follow the burial.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to “Together with Haiti”, which helps to maintain chapels and buildings and provide meals to 2,500 school children. Norah supported this organization for many years. Please send check to Our Lady of the Cape with the notation “Together with Haiti in honor of Norah Peters” made to Our Lady of the Cape, P.O. Box 1799 Brewster, MA 02631-7799.
